Nystagmus Causes & Risks

Causes

The direct cause of nystagmus is instability in the motor system that controls the eyes. There are a number of different causes of this instability, including:

• Heredity
• Poor development of eye control that may be caused by an eye disease or visual problem during infancy
• Albinism (lack of skin pigmentation)
• Eye disorders, such as optic nerve degeneration or severe astigmatism or nearsightedness
• Diseases of the body, such as Meniere’s disease (which involves balance problems), multiple sclerosis , or stroke
• Injury to the head or involving the body’s motor system
• Use of certain medications, such as lithium or antiseizure medications
• Alcohol or drug use
• Inner ear problems, such as infections or irritation

However, in some cases, the cause of nystagmus is unknown.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

The following factors increase your chance of developing nystagmus:

• A family member with nystagmus
• Albinism
• Eye disorders such as optic nerve degeneration, severe astigmatism, or nearsightedness
• Diseases of the body such as Meniere’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke
• Injury to the head or involving the body’s motor system
• Use of certain medications, such as lithium or antiseizure medications
• Alcohol or drug use
• Infection of the inner ear